Improvement in watches



UNITED STATES PATETTOFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT iN WATCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 4111, [(5 l, dated September 13, 15G-'1.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Mimnrr'r BURT, of,v Cleveland, in the count-y of Cuyahoga and State of Chio, have invented new and useful f Improvements in Y/Vatches; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and complete description ofthe construction and operation of the same, reference being` had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specitication, in whichi Figure l is a sectional view ofthe fusee and center-wheel with all the improvements atv tached. Fig. 2 is aside view et' the fusee and center-wheel with the improvements put together.

Fig. 3 is a side view ofthe centeri wheel with the hollow shaft and showing the i thread of the screw on the lower end. Fig. et is a side view of the hollow friction-pinion, and Fig. 5 is the nut that-secures the pinion in place upon the hollow shaft.

In the further description of my improvement l will refer to the several parts by letter. The general structure of the watch remains unchanged.

A represents the center-post.

B represents the arbor to the drum.

C is the center-wheel.

D isa hollowfriction-pinion. (Shown in place in Figs. land 2 but detached in Fig. 4.)

E represents a hollow shaft, through which the center-post A passes. g

F represents a nut, which holds the pinion D in place upon the shaft E. rIhe centerwheel C is rigidly attached to the shaft E, while the pinion D is caused to turn with the sha-ft and in concert with the wheel C by its friction upon the shaft. This friction may be increased or diminished by the adjustment of the nut F upon the shaft E. This adjustment l and pressure may be increased in delicacy by interposing a concave washer between the nut and pinion. This washer, if madeof very thin metal, acts as a spring, and would give a very nice adjustment of pressure. I do not, however, apprehend that this device would be generallyT needed.

The operation isas follows: Vhcn the watch is in motion as a time-keeper, the pinion D, shaft E, and wheel C rotate in concert.

In the ordinarywinding of the watch the pinion D does not turn upon the shaft E, but if the winding' is continued beyond the limits I of the spring the pinion is caused to turn upon the shaft, thus relieving the teeth from an unnatural strain; and in case the mainspring should break while winding or at any other time while the watch was in motion, the pinion D would turn upon the shaft E,and thus save the teeth ofthe wheels from being broken. My improvement, therefore, relates to devices for preventing injury to thetrain or the usual had effects which result from the sudden recoil of the mainspring in case of its rupture when wound or partly wound up, and to prevent injury to the teeth of the drum, leaves of the pinions, or any part of the train when wound up with too much force. The pinion D will turn in either direction upon the shaft E without entire disconnection with the train.

that I claim as my improvement, and desire'to secure by Letters Patent, is-

rlhe revolving friction-pinion D, when constructed, arranged, and operating as and for the purpose herein specified.

MERRITT BURT. Titnessess J LEONARD, J. HOLMES. 

